Kenya’s regulator could have competition powers returned

Kenya’s high court has struck down legal amendments that critics said curbed the telecoms regulator’s ability to manage competition in the sector, reports Reuters. “The court’s decision gives the regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya, a freer hand to oversee the sector at a time of intense debate over whether or not the country's biggest operator, Safaricom, has too much market power.” The government changed sections of the law in December 2015, requiring the Communications Authority to consult Kenya's Competition Authority, and the communications minister, before punishing any operator for abuse of dominance. “The government argued at the time that it wanted to enhance decision-making on dominance issues by bringing in another body with expertise on competition matters. The Communications Authority said however that the move undermined its independence and would discourage investment in the sector because it restricted its ability to manage competition. In a ruling issued this week and seen by Reuters, the high court said the changes had a major impact and could therefore not be allowed to stand.” Read more

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

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